Paul Gauguin vs. Windstar--My Thoughts

I have now sailed both, albeit on different itineraries, and would like to offer some comparisons.

We sailed in the Wind Surf, which at 302 passengers was close to the 350 that the Gauguin carries. The PG is a deck taller, the Surf at least appears a bit longer. Suffice to say that they felt the same in terms of layout and passenger space. I believe that they are close enough to make a very fair set of comparisons.

I also have to state that the sailings on Windstar were full ship charters and the one on the PG was part of a group sailing with the same group we did one of the full ship charters with. Being on a full ship charter as a group is significantly more enjoyable than being part of a group on a ship, particularly when others were upset that they couldn't partake in some of the extra benefits and activities our group received. All but one of our activities used ship facilities such as dining rooms that would have been closed during that time, so with the exception of one two hour cocktail party, we did not affect the ability of others to enjoy the ships amenities.

Pre-trip: We booked air and pre cruise hotels separately with both, so I can't comment. We got mixed opinions from people who used PG to book their travel and hotels, including one who was supposed to have a day room at the IC but wasn't allowed to check in until 3:00 and had to be out by 6:00. I think there was some confusion, but there shouldn't have been. Also those who came in on the Saturday night flight seemed terribly exhausted the next day. It was easy to book your own excursions online with the Surf, you had to email or speak to someone for the PG.

Departure port: For those making their own arrangements, Papaetee is very easy to get to via taxi from a hotel or the airport which will drop you within feet of the ship. The ship docks within a few blocks of anything you might need to pick up in terms of sundries including basic toiletries as well as tons of shopping. The two ports we embarked from on the Wind Surf were Civitavecchia and Venice, neither of which is a particularly user friendly port in terms of transportation and local port staff. The departure port will obviously vary by cruise, so there is no fair comparison unless you have departed from the same port on both lines and can offer a side-by-side.

Embarkation: Pretty much the same on both. Walk on, get your picture taken by the ships photographer, get escorted to the grand salon/main lounge, fill out a couple forms, present a credit card, get photo taken for the ships security system, handed room cards, escorted to room, head to lunch at your convenience. Luggage in room about the same time you get to it. No clear advantage on either.

Cabin: we were in a 188 s/f porthole cabin on floor two on the Surf, and a 202 s/f (plus small balcony) cabin on the PG. The cabin on the Surf actually felt larger. It seemed like we were constantly on top of each other trying to access the closets on the PG. Although we only used it a couple of times, it was nice having the love seat on the PG. We seldom used the balcony, and I wouldn't spend the money in the future to get one. The bathroom on the PG was roomier. Both had ample storage space, I think there was more drawer space on the PG. The phone fixed to the nightstand on the PG was a terrible idea. Safe was larger in the PG, but neither ship could hold a laptop, and it required some wiggling to get the iPad in. Forget trying to lock up the DSLR on either. Both cabins were in good repair, amenities were about the same in both.

On the PG our cabin was loud. There was no control over the fan blower, just the temperature. There was also a lot of engine noise, and when they moved the stabilizers it was like being next to a garbage truck it was so loud.

I preferred the Surf, my husband slightly preferred the PG, so no clear winner.

Dining: The menus on the PG were repetitive, with the same basic ingredients being offered over and over with different names. They also seemed to not be terribly inspired. We ate in alternate restaurants three nights and the main dining room the others each week on both ships. Breakfast was comparable on both, with the same disorganization--three people would offer coffee refills three times each on one morning and no one would stop by the next. Coffee sucked on both ships, fortunately I am more of a tea drinker and DH drinks neither. Lunch was similar on both, uninspired and really needs improvement.

One huge difference, in the Surf they were happy to deliver room service poolside, on the PG they would only deliver to the cabin. Poor policy when you get back from an excursion too late for lunch and don't want to be in your cabin. Room service is available 24/7 on the Surf, great for early risers to order coffee or tea. On the PG there was no coffee or tea service available until 6:30 am, far too late for us East Coasters. We both agreed that the Surf wins hands down in the dining category.

Service: We felt service was generally good on both ships, however we had problems with our cabin attendant on the PG that went into the creepy realm. (In all fairness, the first week on the Surf our steward was pretty lame, but the second week we had a different one who was terrific.). We felt the dining room servers and bartenders on the Surf tried a lot harder. There were three stand outs on the PG, but a dozen on the Surf. One thing that made me crazy on the PG was that even when the Do Not Disturb was out, they would knock at your door. My pre-dinner nap was interrupted twice in one week by this. Unacceptable. We also had a problem with some missing items and the response from the PG was quite disappointing, with the blame trying to be shifted onto me. Overall we felt the service on the Surf was far better.

Spa: I had a hot stone massage in both, they were both good with no pressure to buy anything, although both did try to gently persuade me to book another spa treatment later in the week, and the PG spa even went as far as to call my cabin to try to get me to book. No real advantage on either.

Overall Ship: While we don't like the constant barrage of announcements on mass market ships, we did enjoy the short, once daily announcement from the captain on the Surf, and felt it odd that there were no announcements on the PG.

We felt a lot of movement in the PG, even while in port. The ship was not at all stable, even in calm seas. We had one night where it was only choppy and the ship was rocking and rolling as if we were in a tropical storm.

We loved the open bridge policy on the Surf, and were disappointed that the PG doesn't offer the same. We loved the sails on the Surf. The senior officers, including the Captain on the Surf were very accessible and sought to mingle with guests. The senior staff on the PG seemed rather aloof.

Both ships were in good shape with ample space and cozy places. I really liked the puzzle table on the PG, and it was fun to stop and put together a few pieces each time I passed. They do need better lighting for it though. We never really found our "spot" on the PG, whereas with the Surf by the end of the second day we had a favorite bar, bartender, and seats.

DH missed having a hot tub on the PG. The pool was about the same on both.

We missed having outside tables for breakfast on the PG, something we really enjoyed on the Surf.

The fitness center on the PG was small and cramped. The Surf's was better equipped and roomy.

There was a better selection of books and DVD's on the Surf.

The lectures on the PG were quite good. We never used the Internet in the Surf, just used WiFi in port. Bought the smallest package on the PG, it was about the speed we had expected, fine for the small things we needed to accomplish. Photographer in both ships was good and not obnoxious.

There was definitely a lot more to do during the day while in port on the PG. You could never get off the ship and still be kept very busy with any number of cultural activities, lectures, etc. On the Surf during port days, there just isn't much going on.

I think this category is just too subjective to choose a winner, although I clearly preferred the Surf.

Disembarkation: One big difference is that the Surf requires luggage out in the hallway before breakfast the final day, while the PG requires it before midnight (11:00 pm?) the night before. So much more convenient on the Surf. Otherwise, disembarkation was about the same. Slight edge to the Surf.

I hope this helps those trying to choose between the two.

Extremely helpful!